Hairy Earthtongue
VU

Hairy Earthtongue

Trichoglossum hirsutum

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichoglossum_hirsutum

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Hairy Earthtongue faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and nitrogen deposition, which alters the delicate soil chemistry required for its mycorrhizal associations. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that disrupt the specific moisture conditions this fungus requires for fruiting. Grassland fragmentation has isolated populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting spore dispersal between suitable sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Hairy Earthtongue inhabits nutrient-poor, unimproved grasslands, particularly chalk downs, limestone grasslands, and old pastures with low nitrogen levels. It forms associations with grasses and other plants in areas that have experienced minimal agricultural disturbance and maintain traditional extensive grazing regimes.

TERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Geoglossaceae

VU

Star Earthtongue

Geoglossum starbaeckii

Unknown
Short-spored EarthtongueVU

Short-spored Earthtongue

Trichoglossum walteri

Unknown
EN

Geoglossum glabrum

Unknown
EN

Plain Earthtongue

Geoglossum umbratile

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Hairy Earthtongue classified as Vulnerable?
Hairy Earthtongue is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Hairy Earthtongue faces severe decline due to habitat degradation from agricultural intensification and nitrogen deposition, which alters the delicate soil chemistry required for its mycorrhizal associations. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns that disrupt the specific moisture conditions this fungus requires for fruiting. Grassland fragmentation has isolated populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting spore dispersal between suitable sites.
Where does Hairy Earthtongue live?
Hairy Earthtongue occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Hairy Earthtongue?
The main threats to Hairy Earthtongue are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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